Verstappen Concerned by RB21's 'Pretty Bad' Race Pace in Mexico

Max Verstappen may have topped the timesheets in FP2 at the Mexico City Grand Prix, but the three-time world champion expressed significant concern over Red Bull's long-run pace, calling it "pretty bad" and a "big problem" for the weekend ahead.

Why it matters:

Red Bull's struggle with long-run performance, particularly tire grip, could jeopardize Verstappen's chances in Mexico, a circuit where consistent race pace is crucial. Despite their single-lap speed, a lack of sustained performance could open the door for rivals like McLaren and Ferrari to challenge for victory.

The details:

• Verstappen sat out FP1 but quickly topped FP2 with a soft-tire flying lap, beating Charles Leclerc by 0.153s.
• Long-run struggles: As soon as the focus shifted to race simulations, the RB21's pace dramatically declined.
  • Verstappen described the long-run experience on medium tires as "terrible," likening it to "driving on ice" due to a complete lack of grip.
  • He emphasized that while one-lap pace is good, it's insufficient to win the race if the long-run performance is "zero."
• Helmut Marko's agreement: Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko echoed Verstappen's concerns, noting the car's "non-grip" and predicting difficulty against McLaren, Ferrari, and Mercedes if improvements aren't made.
  • Marko observed that even on soft tires, McLaren's Lando Norris appeared stronger in long runs, with the potential to pull away easily.

Between the lines:

Verstappen's and Marko's candid remarks underscore a deeper issue than just a suboptimal setup. The description of "no grip" regardless of balance suggests a fundamental problem with how the RB21's updated floor and overall package interact with the tires, especially under race conditions and rising tire temperatures. This isn't just about fine-tuning; it hints at a more complex challenge for the Red Bull engineers to resolve quickly.

What's next:

Red Bull will be working overnight to identify and rectify the issues affecting the RB21's race pace and tire grip. The team's ability to turn around this performance will be critical for both qualifying and the race. If they fail to find a solution, the Mexican Grand Prix could see a fierce battle at the front, with McLaren and Ferrari poised to capitalize on Red Bull's struggles.